The Crown, or Harry's Bar as it was known, is described by Mick Burke as "a lock-up pub on Newton Street which attracted people from far and wide. The window was boarded to a height of three of four feet, with glass at the top and curtains. There was only one entrance with the bar to one side and the toilet at the top of a flight of stairs facing you - if someone hadn't shut the door you could see them performing as you went in! There were no women allowed in the pub and all the characters used to collect in there [1]."
Former Crown / Harry's Bar, Newton Street. (c) Google 2010. View Larger Map.
Like so many fine old buildings in this part of town, the old Wilsons house still stands. It is on the corner of Newton Street and Dale Street just off Piccadilly, with the Gina Bacconi bridal shop in its place. With so many bars opening in the Northern Quarter these days, this building would be one of the finest boozers in the area if someone were to take the plunge with an unlikely 'change of use'.
Location of Harry's Bar / Crown, Newton Street. (c) Google 2010. View Larger Map.
1. Ancoats Lad, Mick Burke / Frank Heaton (1996).
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